The secret weapon

"Grandfather, can I please have the sword displayed on the grand hall?" Henry asked.

"You want to take Promise? What for?" "Promise" was the name of the sword.

Henry hesitated for a while then took a deep breath.

"Grandfather.... I found the woman whom I want to spend the rest of my life with and I want to gift her this sword as a sign of my undying love." He almost convulsed with his despicable lie. Goosebumps crept into his body as he heard himself saying those words. If his grandfather was not in front of him he might have vomited. It took him a month before he can say it.

He wracked his brain out to think of a better way to convince his grandfather. Though reluctant he had to use his ultimate move and that is to lie blatantly in front of him.

"Me fall in love with a girl, NO WAY" he said to himself.

His grandfather was not innocent of the fact that Henry was a gay but he kept silent on the matter. He wanted to deceive himself into thinking that there was still hope and that he might change his preference. If there is none, a forced marriage, or a political one may be an option. Hearing his news made him so elated.

"So, you finally found someone who interests you." He smiled. [I must get him married immediately before he changes his mind]. Despite having doubts he choose to believe him and have some back up plans just in case.

"That sword is a celestial sword made from a unique material. It would not recognize just anyone." He added.

Henry heaved a sigh of relief. His grandfather believed him.

"if the sword does not recognize the girl, use this to buy her a sword in Pilamyr City, they make the best sword in the country. Take her with you so that she can select what she wants." The old man handed him 2 blue taskin stone. For an average family, a single blue taskin stone is enough to buy a land and an average house. For his grandfather to hand it to him easily, his motives were clear. He wanted to put them together in a trip hoping for something to happen.

While the old man was busy discussing his plan, he was also pleased because of Henry's choice of women. Maybe the reason why he was not interested with anyone was because he has such a high standard. He took the sword exerting his full might. Henry could tell how heavy it was with the level zhenqi that his grandfather used just to lift it out of the shelf. The sheath of the sword, was simple and made of wood. Although the wood was one of the highest quality available in the market it was still just a wood. Without seeing the sword itself, he thought that it was a sword of high quality but not that special.

He was stunned upon seeing it's blade. It gave off a grand aura exuding intelligence, power and strength. The sword felt like a sleeping dragon. But there was something about the sword that gave him a sense of longing and sadness. His grandfather then told him about the way he acquired it. Hoping the sword would recognize him as its master he used every technique to gain its approval. He polished it daily, talk to it from time to time, present flowers to it everyday and bring it with him where ever he goes.

To increase its strength, he went to the lengths of bringing it in the house of the rune masters.

Encrypting runes to the sword increases its ability to channel zhenqi and further absorb energy from the surroundings. The attack power of the wielder could be multiplied many times by selecting the most appropriate rune. However, just before the rune master can carve into the sword, it released an overwhelming power causing injury to the rune master.

The rune master who was an expert to this counter attack of weapons was relatively strong and equipped. But against the might of the sword, the barrier which was set up before hand was not useful at all.

"Bring her over so that I can meet her, if the sword recognized her then it will be hers." His grandfather said.

Henry paused and reluctantly told his grandfather. "She does not know."

The old man smiled and gave him a lot of advice. He was not interested in those advices of course.

Henry was unwilling to follow the idea of his grandfather. First, he did not want Madel to know how he schemed to procure his grandfather's sword. He did not want to let her think that he loved her, [as if it will happen]. He said to himself.

When Madel told him that she was also interested to learn the art of swords he felt pity. She wanted to be able to protect herself despite her lack of zhenqi. He knew about her perseverance to learn things that is why he wanted to encourage her. But he knew that she does not have any money to buy one of her own.

He decided to look out in the market but he could not find anything which suited his standards. He wanted it to be above average. Not too weak but not too strong. But given his personality he only looks for the best. Nothing ever woke his interest with the available swords in the market. He needed to go to another City or kingdom to find what he wants. The problem was he did not have enough time.

After so much thought he asked Madel, Helen and Cheska come to their house to study together. He introduced them to his grandfather and he invited them to their garden. His grandfather gave him a mischievous smile and left.

The garden was spacious. It was a pond with lotuses and big orange and blue fishes called Jirhuan. The fishes have wide thin tails and fins which beautifully sways as they swim. It was a symbol of wealth in Planet Rosetha. In the middle of the pond there was a wide and elegant pergola with tables and chair. Not long after they were engrossed with reading books when Henry said he will get additional books from the study.

"Madel come with me." Henry asked.

Although she was hesitant she still went with him. He was always like that. He wanted someone to accompany him even though he was only going to the rest room or other places in school.

"Such a coward. If only I did not love you, I would have crushed you into a meat paste." She thought.

Henry noticed her roll her eyes, dissatisfied. He chuckled. But he was also nervous, there was a 98% chance that she will not be able to acquire the recognition of the celestial sword. But his heart kept telling him to trust her.

While Madel was looking at Henry selecting books his grandfather talked to her.

"Madel did you find the book about the…." Henry was surprised not to see her around. He felt nervous. It could not be that his grandfather had already made a move without telling him, and besides how did he knew that it was Madel.

Earlier.

"hello child, would you like to accompany this old man to the grand hall and help me with these flowers." He said.

Madel nodded, smiled, took the flowers and accompanied him.

"Sir, you like flowers?"

He smiled and said no. He explained that he puts the flowers in the grand hall daily to gain the recognition of something from his collection.

He asked Madel to put it in the vase.

"can you see the sword above the vase dear?" He said.

"Yes sir, this katana?" she said.

He was surprised when he named it as that. He did not know what a katana is but he nodded.

"Can you bring it over to me?" he asked.

"yes sir."